He said the decision to branch out and create an independent event gave Midlandia the opportunity to shine and allowed the City to secure national headline acts exclusive to the festival.

Midlandia attracted an average audience of 562 people a day in the big top, with entry to a pop-up beer garden and street food free of charge.

“While all acts were very popular, Peter Helliar attracted some of the biggest crowds and local acts 6056 and Bingay attracted a lot of people and laughs,” he said.

The City said the costs of the event are “held in commercial confidence” and declined to say if Midlandia was profitable.

Mr Foley said performers spoke very highly of the event, the crowds and the atmosphere, including Peter Helliar and Charlie Pickering’s managers, who said the performers would return if given the chance.

The City is hoping to secure a dynamic program for next year subject to availability and negotiations with artists.

In response to some complaints about limited food choices and expensive drink prices, the City said external contractors set prices and choices, but the feedback would be passed on to future event contractors.

The City did not receive any complaints about the event or ticket prices.